[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 19 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE AMERICAN FLAG--A TRIBUTE TO THE SYMBOL OF AMERICA'S FREEDOM

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                        HON. WILLIAM O. LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 1997

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the great 
symbol of freedom in these United States, the American flag. The 
American flag is nationally and internationally recognized as the 
symbol of the United States and all that it stands for. Today, my 
colleague, Congressman Gerald Solomon and I introduced a resolution to 
amend the Constitution in order to prohibit the physical desecration of 
the U.S. flag. I am proud to say that as of today more than 200 of my 
colleagues have agreed to cosponsor this important and historic piece 
of legislation.
  For more than 200 years the American flag was the proud symbol of our 
great Nation. Most important, the flag was protected by law from any 
type of desecration. Today, though it still serves as the symbol, it is 
no longer protected by law. In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled in Texas 
versus Johnson, that the violent and destructive act of burning and 
spitting, and trampling on the U.S. flag was a form of expression which 
is protected by the freedom of speech. In the time since that ruling 
more than 49 States, including my home State of Illinois, have passed 
memorializing resolutions which request that Congress to ratify a 
constitutional amendment protecting the flag. Clearly, this body has 
been called upon to protect the flag from any further desecration by 
voting for a constitutional amendment. Deliberate desecration of the 
American flag is truly an insult to those who fought and died to 
preserve and protect the rights of all Americans. Deliberate 
desecration of the flag should no longer be tolerated. That is what we 
seek to accomplish by introducing this important amendment.
  During times of war, the flag became more than a symbol of the United 
States, it provided comfort and encouragement to our soldiers abroad. 
Though they were miles away from home, the flag reminded them of the 
great land and freedom that they were fighting for. The sight of the 
flag reinforced their strength of belief in the war they were fighting. 
American soldiers were reminded of the basic rights that they were 
protecting. The rights that don't exist in other countries; rights that 
make America the land of freedom that it is today.
  Congressman Solomon and I are both committed to fighting this fight. 
My colleague and I, believe that this amendment, which has received 
bipartisan support is long overdue. Americans all over the world 
recognize the American flag as the symbol of freedom, fairness, and 
equality. We must do everything in our power to have the law protect 
the flag from desecration. I am proud to join Congressman Solomon in 
bringing this amendment before the Congress. I hope that all of my 
colleagues will join Congressman Solomon and I, in passing this 
historic and important amendment.

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